Doyle McManus examines the GOP's problems as it relates to winning the 2016 presidential election. The real problem is not the message but simply the math.

The GOP is hanging on to its old ways thanks to its very skillful management of the vote. Republicans control the House even though they received fewer votes in 2012 than the Democrats. Similarly, they control several state houses thanks to gerrymandered districts. They effectively control the Senate through the filibuster.

But this approach, which ghettoizes the opposition and puts many districts in the GOP column by a few percentage points, creates a house of cards. With just a small shift in key districts, it will all come down.

It is time to change the policies and not just the rhetoric. Republicans cannot maintain their voting advantage forever.

Glen Jansma

Newport Beach

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With the 10th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq this week, I can only hope that the Republican Party remains divided for a long time to come.

It was this party that took us into war with a country that had nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks, had no weapons of mass destruction and where more than 4,000 American lives would end up being lost. And for what? Is America any safer?

Republicans should hang their heads in shame this week, and I hope that their embracing of the "tea party" leads to the GOP's demise for once and for all.